Rams Welcome Rattlers To Joel Coliseum; WSSU Looks For Season Sweep
Christopher Zona 02/27/09

Winston-Salem State (8-18) vs. Florida A&M (8-18, 6-8 MEAC)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Winston-Salem State men’s basketball team returns to action on Saturday evening at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. as they look to run their win streak to two games after defeating Norfolk State 68-64 this past Monday evening at Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va. The Rams welcome the Rattlers of Florida A&M University to town as WSSU looks to complete the season sweep over FAMU. The contest, between two Historically Black University rivals, will mark the second, and final, of two meetings between the two teams this season with the Rams looking to snap FAMU’s two-game win streak.

The Matchup 

The Rams head into the contest sporting an 8-18 overall record and are 5-10 in the New Year as they are riding a one-game win streak following a 68-64 victory over MEAC-member and longtime-rival Norfolk State on Monday evening in Norfolk, Va. The Rattlers head into Saturday’s matchup sporting an identical 8-18 (6-8 MEAC) overall record and are coming off of a 63-61 overtime victory over Delaware State at Memorial Hall in Dover, Del. on Monday evening as the Rattlers are now riding a two-game win streak. Florida A&M has won its last two games after dropping eight straight contests (from Jan. 24 - Feb. 16).

The Series

The Rams and Rattlers meet for the fifth time in history. The all-time series is tied 2-2. WSSU and Florida A&M have developed a heated rivalry that started on the gridiron and has made its way to the hardwood. The Rams’ recent 80-66 victory over FAMU in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 31 marked the first time a road team has won a game in the series. Prior to the Rams’ victory FAMU had won both of the matchups in Tallahassee and WSSU won last year’s meeting in Winston-Salem. 

The Rams are currently riding a one-game win streak over the Rattlers as Florida A&M lost the last meeting between the two teams, an 80-66 WSSU victory on Jan 31, 2009 at the Gaither Gymnasium in Tallahassee, Fla. WSSU has now won two of the last three meetings between the two programs.

Rams vs. Rattlers - The Last Meeting

The last meeting between the Rams and the Rattlers came on Jan. 31, 2009 at the Gaither Gymnasium in Tallahassee, Fla. where the Rams saddled the Rattlers with a 14-point, 80-66 loss. The Rams were led by Brian Fisher’s team-high 16 points in the win as he led three WSSU players in double figures. Jamal Durham chipped in 15 points in the victory.